• Wimbledon

Federer dismisses retirement talk

ESPN staff
June 27, 2013

Roger Federer has insisted his shock defeat to Sergiy Stakhovsky will not usher him into retirement.

Federer was beaten in four sets by an inspired Stakhovsky on the Swiss' beloved Wimbledon Centre Court. It breaks Federer's run of 36 appearances at grand slam quarter-finals and his earliest loss at a major since 2003.

Having won Wimbledon for the seventh time 12 months ago, the loss will result in Federer shedding a raft of ranking points and he will drop down to No. 5 in the world at the end of the tournament.

And at 31, Federer - who is the father of two young girls - fielded questions about his future. But he made it clear he will not hit the panic button and has designs on many more Wimbledon appearances.

"You don't panic at this point, that's clear," Federer said. "It's normal that after all of a sudden losing early, having being in grand slam quarter-finals 36 [straight] times, people feel it's different. But I still have plans to play for many more years to come.

"I wish it wasn't going to end here today but I don't think fans are going to mourn it or myself. They'll get over it, I'll get over it. I can be proud of it but move on."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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